Media release - 28^th February, 2013

Progressive office makes Real Estate Business Top 50 list

Raine & Horne Charmhaven named in Real Estate Business magazine’s Top 50 real estate firms
Seven Raine & Horne offices named in the REB list
Buyers from Western and Southern Sydney proving major players in Wyong property markets
Raine & Horne Charmhaven doubles sales team in anticipation of 20% revenue growth by Christmas 2013

Award-winning Central Coast real estate office, Raine & Horne Charmhaven, has been named by leading property publication, Real Estate Business (REB), as one of the Top 50 sales offices for 2013 – the only agency on the Central Coast to make the list.

“This result is about winning credibility from a well-respected industry stakeholder such as Real Estate Business for the high level of service we deliver to our clients,” said Andrew Sorensen, Principal of Raine & Horne Charmhaven.

“Our goal has always been to be the most progressive agency on the Central Coast, while there are literally tens of thousands of real estate firms across Australia, so to make the Top 50 is a huge badge of honour for Raine & Horne Charmhaven and the Central Coast.”

In great news for Raine & Horne in its 130^th year of operation, seven of its best offices were named among the REB Top 50 Sales Offices for 2013.

In addition to Raine & Horne Charmhaven, Raine & Horne Double Bay, Raine & Horne Gladstone, Raine & Horne Neutral Bay, Raine & Horne Bardwell Park, Raine & Horne Darwin and Raine & Horne Marrickville made the list.

“The presence of so many Raine & Horne offices in the national top 50 showcases our Superbrand’s superior selling culture and professionalism,” said Mr Sorensen, who also grabbed a swag of gongs at the recent Raine & Horne NSW/ACT Annual Awards in Sydney.

Mr Sorensen’s winning haul included the Top Auction Lister and Top Salesperson – Number of Sales, while Raine & Horne Charmhaven grabbed the Auction Shield (country/coastal).

The Charmhaven real estate agent is also the reigning Raine & Horne national champion for his sales tally in 2011/12, an award he is confident of defending this financial year.

“Winning the NSW Auction Shield Country/Coastal Award for 2012 was a goal we planned to achieve in five years’ time, but to win this award in just 12 months is an amazing accomplishment by our team,” said Mr Sorensen, who recently secured 100% ownership of Raine & Horne Charmhaven from long term mentor Geoff Bushnell.

“We are the only real estate office on the Central Coast to consistently hold auctions and are currently maintaining a healthy 80% auction clearance rate.

“As a result of using auctions, which put greater onus on buyers to make a decision, our average days on market have plummeted below 30 days – the current average across the Charmhaven market is 112 days,” said Mr Sorensen.

To illustrate Raine & Horne Charmhaven’s auction success, Mr Sorensen recently sold a three bedroom brick home at 41 Shearer Crescent, Blue Haven for $261,000.

“We had 27 bids on auction day, and the property sold under the hammer to a first home buyer for $31,000 above the expected reserve.”

According to Mr Sorensen, demand for Charmhaven property is being driven hard by buyers from Sydney’s Southern and Western suburbs, as well as sea changers.

“Our house prices are comparable to those in Liverpool or Campbelltown or Penrith, and the travel time to Sydney’s CBD is also similar,” argued Mr Sorensen.

“As a consequence, many buyers from Western Sydney are moving to Charmhaven because it offers them a dream sea-side or lake-side lifestyle without impacting on their travel or financial commitments.”

With a constant influx of buyers migrating north from Sydney, Mr Sorensen is confident that 2013 will be a stellar year for the Central Coast and Raine & Horne Charmhaven.

“We’ve doubled our sales team in the last few months and we’re anticipating a 20% increase in sales revenue by the end of 2013,” said Mr Sorensen, who believes first home buyers will still make their presence felt, despite changes to government incentives towards the end of 2012.

“In addition, we have added four specialists to our property management team – Rhonda Bluff, Kirilee Bermingham, Amy Roddom and Katie Driver – who will consistently provide superior service to our landlords and tenants.”

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Andrew Sorensen, Principal, Raine & Horne Charmhaven on 0410 563 146

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator on 02 9258 5400

Raine & Horne Charmhaven only Central Coast firm named among Australian real estate elite